Arsenal Deserve More From A Thriller
Dec 18th, 2011 by 'holic
No need for the rending of garments or the gnashing of teeth. No need to lay all of the blame at the floor of our old mate, Phil Dowd. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel. No credit would come from it. Instead I am inclined to speak of the emotions that were generated by a wonderful football match between two sides who approached the game the right way.
It’s hard to believe I can say that about Citeh, who up until today have gone into ultra-defensive mode whenever they play us. Perhaps it is a sign that Mancini has lost a little bit of respect for us since the obvious summer departures. Perhaps he is finally putting trust in his expensively assembled bunch of mercenaries to play their own game. Whatever the reason I have to say they contributed fully to a breathtaking spectacle.
My appreciation of their performance does not extend to the histrionics, the waving of imaginary cards, the constant diving when they realised they were going into a challenge with an already-carded opponent. It must be said though that going forward they weaved some wonderful patterns, and that they survived a determined Arsenal performance with a clean sheet was a considerable achievement. They are a thoroughly professional outfit and it will be interesting to see if their attacking approach extends to squeaky bum time from February to May.
The first-half served as a taster for what was to follow after the break. Arsenal started brightly and threatened from the left flank, where Gervinho looked lively, and from the corners earned as we stretched City’s rearguard with a courageous display. Gervinho, Ramsey, and the excellent Vermaelen all threatened to get on the scoresheet. At the other end Szczesny had to be at his very best to deny Balotelli and Aguero. Quite how we reached the turn goal-less I still do not understand.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable as both sides poured forward at every opportunity and stretched defences were tested to the full. We suffered a little with the departure of Djourou. Before we had time to settle Balotelli had made the most of our confusion and turned provider for Silva to snatch what would prove to be the decisive strike. Walcott, otherwise fairly anonymous on the day, responded with a fierce drive that Hart saved.
A frenzied period of attack and counter attack ensued. Most notably the hosts fouled up when the also-anonymous Nasri played a shocking ball too far in front of the unmarked Balotelli who had a clear sight of goal. They perhaps deserved better when the marauding Zabaleta smashed an effort against the post. In our frequent attempts to level the skipper scored when he wanted, but sadly was ruled offside by the width of a gnats testicle. Hart was grateful to find another van Persie effort hit straight at him.
It couldn’t go on like that, and it was no surprise that City blinked first, bringing on Milner for Balotelli and reverting to cautious type. It would have been justice if Arsenal had capitalised on that caution, but Arshavin blazed wide, and two spectacular efforts from Vermaelen were not quite good enough on the day. We would probably have got a penalty from another referee when Richards handled in the box, but you know Dowd only gives soft ones against Arsenal, not for us.
There was one final illustration of the lack of class that now permeates the corridors of Middle Eastlands. Some clown decided to announce the utterly ineffective Nasri as man of the match. The Sky award to Kompany reflected more the importance of City’s defenders on the day, although I thought both Kolo Toure and Richards merited the champers if it had to go to someone on the winning side. Through my rose-tinteds both Arteta and Vermaelen would have been more deserving of the honour, but it was one of those days.
Arsene, never happy in defeat, summed up what the result meant whilst acknowledging the performance.
“It will be difficult to close the gap but we will try. This is a game we couldn’t afford to lose and that’s why it’s very difficult to take…It is encouraging but at the moment we need encouragement and points, and we got only encouragement.”
263 Responses to “Arsenal Deserve More From A Thriller”
Turns away…..
….. And sinks to his knees in front of the crowd.
Nice report holic. Don’t want to dwell on the penalty as it will only sour my positive mood. Very proud of the team. Just wish we had had ox on the bench. No complaints. A great game of football.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow for you.
Arsenal Sheik Shitty in Aromatic Encounter.
Strange fragrances of panther dung, hydrocarbon vapour and expensive cologne floated in the air at Middle Eastlands today. Which puzzled travelling Gooners. The source of two was the Milk Shake of Abbly Dabbly himself. He’d wooshed in on his personal jet, burning petro-dollars recklessly, with white robes blowing and gold and diamond teeth glittering through the Mancunian petro-mist. Strong gusts raised his hemline revealing his own personal blue moon, not a pretty Abbly Dabbly sight.
Gooners were unsure of the source of the panther poo, but they had their suspicions. The Pink Plonker, Mancini, was their prime suspect. He had the look of a critter who’d let one go prematurely. But then, he always does when he plays Arsenal.
The teams walked out to Blue Moon, playing discordantly on an Arabian, one-stringed didgerydoodler. Gooners were saddened immediately, by the sight of Downright Deliberately Dishonest Dowd. Arsenal’s stats when he’s in charge beggar belief, all purely coincidental, of-course. So no Gooner was expecting anything other than peculiar penalty decisions or good goals given off-side.
Shitty kicked off toward our fans and the anticipated chorus of Sammi You’re A **** (and he most certainly is) rang out clearly to the millions listening. Despite playing against our third choice RB, the sniveller’s contribution was nil and he was substituted early to cries of something that sounded vaguely like Wonker.
Arsenal played a good first half, in which Koscielny excelled as MOTM. The much vaunted 100M petro-dollar strike force had only a couple of muted chances that the Pole Between the Poles fielded as easily as one of the poorly weighted pass-backs Nasri kept chipping to him. Kos and BFG coped easily with the overpaid miscreants. Alex Song put Silva in his pocket and jogged on.
The two closest efforts on goal came from the excellent Gervinho and the young Welsh Wizard. Shitty’s keeper just coped with both, with the rest of the petro-dollar defence in a dither. Zabaletta whacked Robin’s left ankle from behind. Dowd tried to pick Robin up and got some choice words on his refereeing skills for his trouble.
The half time whistle blew. Arsenal trotted off for their oranges and Shitty for their chilled camel milk and panther piss cocktail.
Arsenal were without all four full backs. Within 5 minutes, “full back” number 5 left the field. His departure transformed the game, changed the outcome.
Kos moved to RB, with Iggi at LB, and Tommy V to CB. Kos went from hero to zero in his new role and was missing on several occasions as Shitty exploited the change. Their goal came from such a moment and a Gervinho gift. The goal was not a thing of beauty and Sczessers will be unhappy that he failed to hold Balotelli’s shot before Silva scraped the ball home.
Arsenal began to apply a full-court press and so Dowd leaped into immediate action. A blatant Richards’ hand-ball was waved on by Dishonest. Two Arenal off-sides that weren’t, were countered by a non-offside for Richards that clearly was. Just for balance, you understand and completely coincidentally.
The team in red was in the ascendancy and began to Sheik-Sheik, Sheik-Sheik-a-Sheik-it. Such was the ineptitude of the Shitty attack that Arsene felt able to give BFG a rest for the last twenty minutes. Kung-Fu fighter De Jong and the inept Dzeko entered to no effect whatsoever. Space wasting at its very best.
Arsenal pushed hard. Robin netted, Tommy V had three great efforts and Theo one pile-driver – unfortunately his ONLY contribution of the game. Time ran out with Shitty fans biting their nails to the quick, as the team in red showed that you don’t need to lose 194 Million a year to buy trophies and play great football.
Great all round performance from The Arsenal with Theo’s exception. He was completely missing from action in attack. He provided zero cover for either RB. Russia’s finest haircut’s confidence is in his boots and I would have introduced Benny rather than Chamakh. I would have had Alex The Ox on the bench.
But what do I know? I thought we were going to win this 2-0, and, on reflection, Djourou’s departure aside, there’s no reason that we shouldn’t have. We miss the penetrating passes that Neutron Jack and Diaby will provide on their return. Wilshere is missed badly in Cesc’s absence in crunch games, despite Ramsey’s many talents.
A win today would have ignited a realistic charge for the title. Having given the world a 12 point start, we’ll make the top four (which is now the priority in the League), while we focus on winning the trophy Shitty bombed out of like a burning Stukka.
A spicey, spikey whisky of your choice please, barman and “hae wan yersel’, big man”.
The boys deserved better today.
And that Na$ri MoM decision shows the lack of class that inflicts the Etitwat Mancs
Excellent write-up (s) ‘Holic and BTM.
Thomas was everywhere, ready and willing to score, but those two lugs, Andrei and Marouane, are absolutely useless….yes, we deserve more, but…
No reason to hang our heads, it was a great match and we just came-up a bit short. We gave it everything and defended well against some great talent. Thought Ramsey was a bit off as a couple of “cheeky” passes didn’t make the desired connection.
“Paging Mr. Walcott, Paging Mr. Walcott.” Look, players are going to have off games and MC defended well against him but his effort tracking back was lacking at times even if it didn’t cost us.
I think Song is out for the Villa game (5 yellows), we just have to be ready to go in mid-week.
As I mentioned in the gazillion drinks yesterday, our second half sets up nicely given that we’ve now played at MC, at Manu, at Spurs, at Chelsea, at Newcastle. Time for the next leg up the table.
A very fine piece, ‘Holic and your focus on the overall quality of the game is most admirable. I do have to take exception on your dimensions “offside by the width of a gnats testicle” conjures a bloody great mammoth gnat of Abbly Dabbly proportions in my mind and I did not see one of the same fly in on the Shake’s personal jet.
Very ironic I thought that Clichy’s sending off resulted in Walcott playing against the much more accomplished Zabaletta. Lescott’s benching for his stupid penalty gift to chelski was also unfortunate. He’s their weakest link and Kolo did much better in his absence.
If Nasri was MOTM, Berlusconi is Italy’s most honest, intelligent, hooker-free premier of all time. All of which he isn’t.
You don’t need to lose 194m a year to win trophies ???
What do Arsenal know about winning trophies in recent years.
What a cock eyed, one eyed report. Were you there ? I think not
You should have been 3 down after 10 minutes and were out passed by class players throughout.
As for mercenaries, not a single player applied to play for City. The club approached the players who all wanted to play for a club on the up, rather than a stale club like Arsenal
Yes, Arsenal made a good game of it for the neutral but we were not biting our nails at the end, merely urging our team to go and score a deserved second goal which should have come much earlier in the game
But then you can trot out the same crap that United fans come out with. You know, the History and Tradition and all that garbage. History and tradition count for F*ck all. It’s all about now and Arsenal are yesterday’s team
Wenger should know that neither Ramsey nor Walcott is strong enough to play in games like that,but at least Ramsey tried.Walcott should hand his week’s wages back ,and be ashamed of himself.That is not the first time his timidity has left us a man short.And playing a rough and tough skilful team with effectively 9and a half men is not hopeful .When is the ox going to get his chance? Otherwise a brilliant game and stirring performance from the team which one sequence of errors and some bad luck defeated .
@9 – you had the Balottelli shot, the Agureo shot, the goal, the Nasri wasteful cross and Zabaleta’s shot to the post.
We had Ramsey (when he was fouled and should have got a pen), Gervinho, RvP (2nd half when Gervinho crossed it and Hart caught the low shot), RvP from Theo’s cross (it was Ramsey who was offside), TV, TV and AA who I don’t know how he kicks a ball.
We both had chances, you took yours.
As for Villa away – Opta are saying the yellow Arteta got against Blackburn while playing for Everton was amended and he’s not suspended.
Blue Mancunian – shouldn’t you be planning your Europa League watching for February rather than trolling this blog?
Lack of class.
I rest my case Blue Manc…
History and tradition and all that garbage!? Beautiful, Blue Monkey….Ever heard of fork and spoon?
Blue Mancunian, you stepped into the wrong bar, dawg.
Go find yourself a place where other glory hunters abound.
You do realize that when Shake My Booba gets bored with this little fling, you guys are going to be playing non-league football right? Then come along here and let’s see which of your non-mercenary players still stick with your club. I am not a big fan of ManU at all, but at least they win trophies, not buy them.
Good writeup of a good game. We proved we’re in City’s class and on another day we might have gotten a better result with the same effort. I’m hoping our fullback situation doesn’t prove our downfall, but we could use somebody to get back from injury soon. Did anybody mention that Dowd could afford to lose a few stone? Come on Arsenal, beat Villa!
played ‘holic – good luk with the management on the morrow
ewww to be ah Goonah!
“As for mercenaries, not a single player applied to play for City.”
That’s right… no-one *wants* to play for Citywho.
“The club approached the players who all wanted to play for a club… ”
And the thought of earning twice as much as they can get at any other club never enters their heads at all 😀
“You should have been 3 down after 10 minutes…”
Errr…. what stopped us then?
Good game. Not much in it. Just a scrappy goal. Enjoy your moment.
Just watched MOTD2 and seen them point out that Robin was NOT off side when he chipped Hart. Kompany was playing him on. That and the Richards penalty ( deemed not a penalty by both Souness and that idiot Redknapp for some reason) are irritating. It is on these decisions that big games like this turn. When I saw Dowd lead the teams out I suppose I should have expected the worst though.
What a player Kozzer is becoming!
Evening ‘holic and ‘holics. Just back from the freezing oil rig.
Lovely post ‘holic. It was indeed a cracking game. On another day the scoreline would have been reversed. Some truly epic performances, and a great shame not to get at least a point.
Full credit to a very strong Shitteh squad, who most definitely felt it was a game they had to win after their recent humiliations, so we can’t be surprised that they stepped up.
Apologies if these observations have been made elsewhere, please forgive me as I haven’t had time to back drink yet:
Phatty Phil is a phucking disgrace.
Pheo was a bit absent today and was missed.
Phlipper needs to go to phinishing school.
Phermaelen was a God.
Phan Persie could have put the game to bed, but it was clearly going to be one of ‘those’ games today when try as we might it wasn’t going to be.
Arshaphin must go. Really, he must.
Now, I must away and get some kind of volcanically hot beverage to prevent hypothermia.
And ‘holic – best wishes to the management, hope all goes well tomorrow.
for the blue troll from that provincial crap hole called manchester: the arabs have artificially made you into a big club for now but without history you are nothing more than another blackburn rovers. yeah, you have money but you have nothing more. come back when you have more than 13 titles and then you can boast. until then you better pray that your playboy prince spending his peoples money on your mickey mouse club doesn’t lose interest.
Arteta was our man of the match just ahead
of Verm and Kos. Walcott went missing for
the 2nd game in a row and Ramsey seems
to be down on true confidence especially
in front of goal. Not surprised dowd ignored the
penalty…
Got up at stupid o’clock to watch the game down
under, then some zzz’s and now time to
hit the golf course!
Ah, Blue Mannie, thank you for your very erudite appraisal of my piece. Have you taken your O level woodwork test yet? Not likely to pass I fear.
You’ve just got to love it when someone shoots himself in the foot like the blue twatunian did above.
Great report, Holic, and likewise BtM.
Snowy, I wish you a speedy thawing process.
Holic, Off to work, terrific piece. True class you are, what with the week you and the Management have endured. Hoping to hear that tommorow she comes home.
Blue @ 9 Don’t you ever compare the Arsenal or Manu for that matter, with your club. NOT EVER!
Phank you Lars – I’m still phuckin’ phreezin’ but expect to phaw out soon
*gets coat…which might have come in handy a bit earlier*
🙂
Great match report Mr.Snowy, a phabulous read phull of phirst-class analysis. Hope your phermal situation improves quickly and that you pheel warm again soon. Your phantastic support is being praised by all the team on Twitter so phery well done phor that. The Traphelling Phaithphul were all in phine phoice this aphternoon 🙂
‘Holic, here’s hoping all’s OK tomorrow for Management and that you bring her home safe and sound.
BTW, even Hansen said on MoTD we didn’t deserve to lose the game. I almost fell off my sofa when I heard that from my favourite BBC broadcaster 😉
Great performance, but we need substitutions that can turn a game around. Surely Benayoun has more to offer than Arshavin (he has the reverse midas touch) and Chamakh needs to move on too.
I went to University in Manchester and occasionally went to games at Maine Road. I used to enjoy City fans fatalistic sense of humour. Only City could lose after being 2-0 up to Bournemouth (late Luther Blisset hat trick) and miss out on promotion from the 2nd division.
Now they are just a bunch of c**ts. That’s my measured analysis.
Dr.C, a first post! 1-0 to The Quackery? 😉
TS – You’ve got mail.
Snowy – please email me snir_geuli@hotmail.com
‘Holic – fine post – entirely agree – and with zico in previous drinks.
I would, though, dwell a bit on Dowd’s performance.
How was Zabaleta not booked for the foul on RvP, from behind (down Wolfie) and which went through the side of his leg ?
How did Barry not get booked for his studs up lunge at Song’s ankle ?
Oh, of course, that would have been a second booking and he would actually have had to send him off . . . . say no more.
Blue Manc – no need to think up an original, clever put-down in response to your comment.
Just re-read it folks and note the whiff of the ignorant lottery winner who actually believes he DESERVES to be rich.
The state and status of your club will be summed up by your manager – should you win the league – who will be relieved rather than overjoyed.
Do pop back in to inform us of your performance in the Europey League 😉
A total spend of a billion pounds means a trip to the al qaeda is always likely to be tricky. Even buffoons like Mancini should be able to manufacture something with a budget like that. Whilst Shakey and the boys continue to bank roll such operations we can only expect more Oxygen thieves such as blue mannie to raise their heads out of the dump and give it large.
Great right up holic. I agree with your assessment. We have not had a lot of luck of late and today was no exception. My view is that the lack of full backs is really hurting us. This is not just in defence but also in attack. The back four lacks shape at times. I am convinced that the Citeh goal does not happen if we have a left and right back. Ballaknobjocky is given acres of time and space on the wing. His cross is not the greatest but Miquel is caught sleeping and leaves TV marking 2. Inexperience from the boy but not something that happens with a settled back four.
As stated above, RVP was on but until someone decides on using TV replays then I am not sure that officials can ever be blamed on getting those wrong. Not that that eases the pain. I must also say that I am not surprised the penalty for the hand ball was not given. I would have been fuming if it had been given against us.
I think the biggest telling point for me came when we wanted to make changes. I looked at our bench and did not really see anyone there that I felt could make a difference to the game. AA has all the talent in the world but has not been at the races since I don’t know when. Sadly I never feel that Chamakh will score. I have no confidence in him at all. That just leaves Park. He must be such a world class talent that we continue to save him for a really really really big game???? Now, if it was possible, who would not have felt more inspired to have seen Henry warming up with with 20 to go???? The fact that TV posed as major a threat as anyone tells us where we need to strengthen.
Overall I thought we did enough to get something out of the game. The stats show that we just edged it, despite what pond life at 9 thinks. Get some full backs fit, bring the right players in and who knows. High praise from Souness and Hansen show that we are moving in the right direction.
So off to Villa Park next. Very much looking forward to that. My first away trip of the season. Belated I know but hopefully and early Christmas present.
Keep the faith.
Forgot to say ! – very good performance by our team, still deprived of the services of Sagna, Jenkinson, Santos, Gibbs, Wilshere, Diaby, and other lesser lights.
Blue Manc – please note, above.
BtW Blue, Nasri’s girlie giggle and cuddle when you scored – typical of his, and your, lack of class.
The Blue Manc @ 9 makes me laugh, with many millions of pounds more, you’re oiled-up club could only edge our youth away and barely edge out our 1st team at home, and that’s with an club record equalling goal being disallowed, and a stonewall penalty for handball that was given on the Monday not being given at home.
You should rue the turn of the year, as I eagerly antipicate it 🙂
Forgot to say, lovely write up as usual ‘Holic, hope the management is doing well.
Steve T, enjoy your away trip come Wednesday, I’ve got to find an away game to go to in London one of these days…
Holic, hope you get good news about the management, God knows everybody here is praying for her.
And have to echo everybody’s sentiments that we should be thanking you, not the other way around. Great virtual bar you have here.
Steve T @ #34,
Nice match report. Agree with you re: the ‘lightness’ of our current bench although not convinced Titi is the way to strengthen it.
All being well, my ticket for Villa will arrive in time for Wednesday.
*gets on hands and knees and prays to the postal gods*
A chance to finally meet and enjoy a scoop pre-match?
Trev @ #35,
“Girile giggles”, heh! ‘Bout right for a chinle$$ le$bo, no?
Steve,
With you on the full backs. Sagna and Santos (the latter performing well after a slowish start) would have added a great deal today, both in defense and attack. I think I read that Gibbsy is nearly back? I hope he takes the chance to establish himself.
Regarding the bench, when Walcott misfires, as he did today, I’d like to see Alex available to replace him. There is already little between the two and the youngster’s guts will see him get into places where Theo (as he did today) just fears to go.
Chamakh never had a chance of replacing my boy up front and sadly, Arshavin’s confidence has dived to a level that looks irrecoverable. I can only assume that both look better in training than Benny and Parkie. Go figure.
I have Goetze and Podolski on my Christmas list and I’ll be quite happy if Santa takes Chamakh, Arshavin and Squillacci in return and gives them to a more deserving little boy.
BTM. I am with you completely with the Crimbo list. Add that to some fit full backs and Jack and we will cause problems. I would also like to see AOC get more of a chance. With 7 subs allowed we can surely find a place for him on the bench? I am not sure I will ever understand the Park signing.
TS. Titi is short term. I just think he is head and shoulders above what we have in reserve. Having a Daddy Daughter trip to Villa, but that does not prevent a meet up somewhere. Drop me an e mail when you get your ticket and you know where you are sitting. If nothing else we can meet up inside for a pint and a pie etc.
Well , an existential question , whenn you are double half-cut ? Bollocks Socrates , of course you do !
Fantastic write-up Holic .
Today was a proper game of football , a game that took me back to my childhood , a game where I couldn’t stop shaking , not from any sense of innate cold , but because today’s game represented a chance to underline our recovery and my nervous system symbolised that tension .
Whoops , an early hit on the submit button . to continue —
So we lost ! So fucking what ! Not only was there a clear difference between the shambolic Arsenal that had turned up at the Old Toilet and at Blackburn , and the Arsenal that turned up today but , there was , to at least this gun-tinted eye , a marked differential between this Arsenal side and the “team” in sky blue .
It can be argued that the City side possesses more talent , and with a line-up possessing the stellar (and multi-million) talents of Aguero , Balotelli and Silva , it is difficult to argue . That said , woud I swap any of ’em for the guys in red and white ? Not on your nelly .
Both Kos and Song were magnificent . Not far behind in the heroic stakes were the always tidy Arteta , and the increasingly dangerous Gervinho .
Having got through the deadly first half hour , I fancied our chances . We were undone by the need to shuffle an already stretched back four , and by the continuing unwillingness of Fatty O’Dowd to give us anything .
We deserved a point , but hey ho , it wasn’t to be . Ultimately we have something that City will never attain in my lifetime …. CLASS .
Keep the Faith .
Sorry ‘holic sir, for the first time ever I find myself disagreeing with you.
I thought we were the better team.
The first 15 mins or so was definetly for the overpaid, after that we were the better XI.
It is unconcievable that a team with a forward line which must of cost a good few BPs, Shells and Texacos could be so negative, especially in a home fixture.
Yes, they created a few chances, but all on the counter, they never even tried to take the game to us.
They are the league leaders and they were playing at home!!!!
Their goal was more down to Flipper giving the ball away and a mix up in our defence due to a subsitution, then any kind of skillset from them.
I posted in the last drinks; “they were shit scared of us”, and I stand by that opinion.
1-0 up at home and you take off a striker and bring on a midfielder?
Bitch move from a coach of a team that were up against it.
With all the circumstances maybe a draw would of been a fairer result, but it wasn’t to be, so I’ll accept that.
But. what I find difficult to accept was the ineptitude of Phil Dowd, too many bad decisions, that fat tosser really needs to be replaced by a one eyed, peg legged half wit, the improvement would be massive.
The biggest laugh of the day was when the chinless lesbo was proclaimed MOTM, the dutch commentry team couldn’t Adam n Eve it, saying that it had to be some kind of Manc cunt joke that Dutch cunts didn’t get. (or words to that effect ;))
My only dissapointment of the day (behalf the result) was the contribution of the late substitutions, AA and Chamakh, alas proving, once again, that they don’t quite pocess the heart/talent needed to don our beloved shirt. I really hate to say such a thing, but sadly it’s painfully obvious that they are just not good enough.
All in all, a performance to be proud of, even if the result was not what we hoped for.
============
@9 Blue Wancunian.
Congratulations for winning the “Manc Twat of the year” award.
No mean feat considering the vast competition.
============
Holic, once again, best wishes and prayers going out, for the speedy and healthy return of your other half.
============
Finally, a dof of the cap to many above posts, brilliant stuff gents and proof of what a great community we have here.
A tipple of your choice on me.
Cheers.
ps, I’ve seen such things as;
superboilk, megaboilk and hyperboilk.
But now I’d like to introduce the world to a preboilk.
Time for bed me thinks and heres hoping I don’t wake up for a few days.
Nighty night ‘holics.
Didn’t see the game as I was unavoidably on the road, but from all the comments in the bar it seems I missed a cracker and the team gave more than a decent account of themselves. The score line is obviously deeply disappointing, not least because of the confidence boost we could have taken from it. There is still more than half a season to go so all is not lost but it would have been a lot better to have those three points in the bag rather than needing to scramble for them later on.
One point I am not sure about is the assumption that Citeh is a more talented team. None of us would say no if any or all of Aguero, Balotelli and Silva joined us in January, but I don’t see that any of their other outfield players would be automatic starters for us. Hart is having an outstanding season in goal, it must be said. He and Woj are the two best keepers in the Prem this season by a country mile, and there is not much between them.
Sad to see Arshavin’s decline continuing. I always felt he was one of the few players we had who could create a goal out of nothing, and it was worth persevering with him for that reason alone. But now it seems even that potential, so vital in an impact sub, has deserted him. Sad.
Well written Holic. I am a proud Gooner this evening. That was perhaps the best game of football I have seen this year (and only the game against Barca was more satisfying – so you can imagine if we had won!
There was no shame in losing to this Man City side (I use their proper name out of respect) – they impressed me today. And if we can’t win the title I’d prefer if they won it – if it means that Manure don’t. We saw today the two best teams in the EPL and I hope that the team will kick on now and win the CL.
P.S. Question: Are any of you Holics ever tempted to visit our rivals sites? I have never, ever been on another teams site but Arsenals. Hell I don’t even like most of Arsenal’s blogs..So why the fuck does other teams like to trespass here? Excuse I have to go punch something..
Wonderful game for the neutrals – as has been said elsewhere. However I also enjoyed it; I enjoyed the tenacity, spirit and honest endeavour of our players (well most of them) coupled with some obvious skills and talents. We have come a very long way since that disastrous start to the season and players, coaches and management should all be proud of their achievements.
Without a single full back it was always going to be difficult and when JD had to go off things got even harder although I have to say that Meekel did better as he settled into the game and I think that one day he will be a great centre back for AFC.
I’m not sure what Theo’s problem is but if he wants to go any further he has to find ways of imposing himself on games even when things are not easy or not going his way, though why le boss thought AA would would do better I really can’t understand and surely The Ox deserved an opportunity and would have been a better choice? Similarly with Chamakh and it shows the dire state of affairs in the striker department when we have only him on the bench to come on and try to change the game/ get a goal. Can we, will we sign/try to sign some one in January – a notoriously difficult time to do just that? I hope we can and do, but they’ll have to be good.
All in all I’m proud of this team and they can hold their heads high. In all the circumstances they really couldn’t have done much better.
anyone with two feet running with the ball is better than AA and Chamakh combined. So just prayed for one to drop through the chimney at X’mas , ok I’ll accept a delayed parcel to arrive in January.
I have observed that once Alex Song and Mikel Arteta got their first yellow card, the Citeh players are determined to fish for fouls against the two.
We’re going to miss both Alex and Mikel vs. Villa. Gutted.
Hey ‘Holic, I am an avid reader from the Philippines. It’s my first time to make a comment on you hallowed site! I want an absinthe!
Can’t be arsed backdrinking but what tabs said.
Also a quick search on ‘Barry’, I found Trev’s 33.
Totally agree, that lunge on Song was very worthy of a second yellow.
But hey-ho, gutted with the result, proud of the boys.
Is the worksafe version of arseblog working for anyone?
Back on now.
Agree with the sentiments expressed here (and elsewhere). We played really well and deserved something from the game. Would have liked to have played them with two fullbacks as I think that was where the game was lost. Disappointed with Theo that he was so lacklustre. For me the telling point was in the subs when we sent on Arshavin and Chamakh. Would really like to see at least one strong purchase in January to give Robin some support.
However, and it pains me to say this, I really admired the way City closed us down. It is what we did to Chelsea last season. They stopped our flowing game from the back quite well even though we did have good chances. I would like us to play with the high tempo closing down game. It reminds me of AC Milan in the 90s, and I reckon it would be a good thing to introduce to our game as well.
Onwards to Villa and a makeshift team will come away with three points.
COYG
David Crossweller: I thought we closed them down pretty well too at times. We can improve that bit, but I think we are moving in the right direction.
One thing that struck me well after the game (I didn’t fall asleep until about 3.30, I just kept going over the game in my head) was that at no point did I feel that we were without a chance to win it or at least get a point, not even with just a few minutes to go and before kick-off I didn’t feel as if it would have been much of a surprise at all if we had won it which is something I haven’t felt before a big game in a while. I think that last season we would pretty much have caved in after going 1-0 down, or at least not threatened particularly much but that Mancini felt forced to take an attacker off for a mainly defensive workhorse midfielder with some twenty minutes to go and that we still created a couple of very good chances does say quite a bit about the threat we did pose.
Afternoon All
Good points Lars/David and I’m ‘still keeping the faith’ Ollie 😉
My Villa ticket arrived today so I’m very excited about joining the marvellous collection of folk that make up The Travelling Faithful.
FYI, re: yesterday’s exchanges on our supsensions. This on Pravda sets the record straight (I think it’s just as Lars said it would be):
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/song-suspended-for-aston-villa-match
So, I’m guessing it’ll be Mr.Frimpong in the side vs Villa, doing his best to protect a make-shift back 4 that may or may not include Mr.Gibbs, fitness depending.
The last time I saw us play Villa was at the end of last season when we lost 2-0. It was one of the worst games of football from an Arsenal perspective that I have witnessed BUT we are a team of men now and no-longer tainted with a core of sulking wantaways like Na$ri.
So… really hoping for some pre-Xmas fireworks at Villa Park 🙂
COYRRRs!!!!
PS: Nice match reports from tabs & H2H too. The tinge of alcohol has done you both proud fellas.
It looks like the ‘Holics concensus on Arshavin & Chamakh is ‘time’s up fellas’. Very hard to argue against that. Always a shame when clearly the potential is there. I do hope Arsene-Claus will do some swift buisness in the January sales but who the f*ck knows…..
TS, so Sky got it right when they displayed 4th booking.
Guess someone invented one of his bookings for Everton?
Or is it some weird thing like suspension counts on all competitions including CC, however a booking in CC doesn’t count towards suspension (that’d be too weird though, even for the FA)
The good thing about this time of year is we don’t have time to wallow in self-pity – the Villa game now takes on enormous importance with the LWCs winning yesterday.
Pleased to report that I have not yet murdered my work-colleague, but then it is only lunchtime.
To give you an idea of his one-eyed view of life
“It were 1 nil going on 5”
“Song and Arteta both should have been sent off.”
“We were unhappy with 4 minutes extra time – we wanted 10 minutes!”
“Nasri was brilliant.”
I kid you not.
As if Monday’s weren’t bad enough. 🙁
You seem to have a very thick work-colleague Dr Z.
No dialogue of the sort here, just the agreement that Valbuena is a cheat and that the PSG vs Lille game was rather dull.
I was the only one who could pass comment on our game :p
zico @ #60
I revert to my previous advice. Petrol and matches will do it. Be discrete and get Carlos to do the ‘heavy lifting’ 😉
Even that monumental pranny Alan Hansen thought we deserved to get something from the game.
zico, that plonker really does seem to be a few cans short of a sixpack.
tabs: “We deserved a point , but hey ho , it wasn’t to be . Ultimately we have something that City will never attain in my lifetime …. CLASS .”
Amen to that, brother.
Ollie – nothing gets past you, eh? 😉
TS – the mixture of Feelgood, explosives, petrol and matches. Not a good combination – just ask Rox. 8)
Lars, are you as confused as I am now?
Song is suspended for one game only.
Hey Monica @ 51 Welcome!
Bus stop in Fulham’s reserves score. bah.
Snir, It’s good news innit?
So why are you confused?! 🙂
Commiserations Dr Z , your work colleague really does sound a bit of a bellend . I shall send up my unchalked pool cue by special delivery .
Cheers for the kind words TS , though I’m not sure that on this occasion , I deserve them . Drinking in this Bar when half-cut is always a tricky exercise . Last night I made a special effort not to :-
a) swear
b) press “submit” when my drink was incomplete .
c) not talk about an “existential question” , without actually saying what the question is , and only providing the answer .
Looks like I failed on all three counts 🙁
Safe to say I have no idea what sort of “existential question ” my drink-addled brain came up with , whilst the answer doesn’t really provide a hint of what the question might have been . Oh dear !
Have to say , even though the alcohol-induced mists have cleared , my view of the game hasn’t really changed . Tend to agree with those who say City just shaded it , but hey , they were at home , and , at the moment , are the most potent attacking force in the country .
They could have had few complaints had we nicked one at the end .
The offside VP “goal” , I can understand , we are after all dealing in fractions , but I just don’t get why the handball was not given . Fatty was perfectly positioned , and whilst the question of intent is always subjective , the ball had come from a long way away and City gained a very obvious advantage from it .
Bouncebackability is now key . Whilst getting involved in the Title race was always a long shot , top 4 is still very much on . In a week where Chelsea and The Spuds will be taking points off each other , a win at Villa , even without the excellent Song and Arteta , is imperative .
Onwards and Upwards .
The excellent Arteta will be available though, tabs 🙂
My deep fear for the midweek is that Alex McLeish will send someone out to break a leg (is Hutton playing?).
Will he Ollie ? Oh . Excellent news . 🙂
So who will cover for Song ? Coq would be my choice , but Frimpong got the nod on the bench yesterday .
Hutton is indeed a nasty son of a gun . Risk of injuries will be high . Villa taking a lot of stick today , so Mcleish will definitely have ’em in psycho mode come wednesday .
Well at least I was right about one thing.
The *boilk* is on.
Afternoon all.
Afternoon H2H , I’ll get the BMs in . Sounds like we both need ’em ! 🙂
Hutton’s thuggery stems from a combination of :
lack of brain and talent.
Not a racial stereotype. Oh no. 😉
Cheers tabs, the need is great indeed!!!
TS, have fun in Brum.
I hope the same Villa that I’ve seen over the last few weeks turn up, man they stink.
Any team boasting Emile Heskey as their striker this side of the year 1998, is at an automatic disadvantage, add to that their obvious defencive frailtys, Given out injured, Bent out shopping and being managed by a completly clueless cock, then all in all I’m feeling quite confident about Wednesday’s trip to the Midlands.
Snir, it is actually only one game, beacuse this is straight from the FA:
Arsenal ALEXANDRE SONG BILONG 18/12/2011 21/12/2011 Suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for 5/10/15 cautions.
I also had a look at the rules, http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/FA%20Handbook%202010-11/FAHandbook-update-1011.ashx/FAHandbook-update-1011.pdf
“Players dismissed from the Field of Play in a FTCM, having previously in the same season been sent off in a FTCM (or suspended under the Standard Directions set out in Schedule A in these Regulations for an incident in a FTCM), will be suspended for one extra match for each such previous sending off or suspension, in addition to the automatic suspension applicable to the dismissal.”
We misread this one last night. Look at it again, this law applies to dismissals when you have previously been suspended, so there does seem to be a bit of a flaw to the logic here. You do NOT get an extra game after five yellows for previous sending offs, but you do get another game after being sent off if you have previously been suspended for five yellows.
Reserves getting routed….
H2H, but will Bent be back on Wednesday? That fecker always seems to score vital goals against us no matter how shit his team is in general 🙁
True, Lars. It’s a fucking annoying habit he’s got there.
Bent as back-up striker for RvP? that would solve that particular problem, heh (but no don’t want him here really).
No thanks Ollie .
He’s even getting drummed out of The Speedo Massive this week .
Given his name , this wasn’t a decision Wolfie has taken lightly 😉
I’m surprised they’re not all called Bent.
Or rent.
Indeed Ollie and Lars, most annoying.
The FFL site has him listed as doubtfull for the next match, but in my experience, that doesn’t really mean a great deal.
heh tabs.
not changed my team and Bent isn’t in it anyway.My front 3 is RvP, Gervinho and A.N. Other. Can’t remember who at all. Saha maybe?
Tabs, you can always replace Bent with David Bently or Nic Bendtner, maybe even Ledley King.
Why Ledley you ask?
Well where there’s a king there’s also usually a queen hanging around nearby. 😉
“So why the fuck does other teams like to trespass here? ”
If they use an aggregator like News Now (as I do) sometimes opposition blogs appear when your own team is playing them. Sometimes it’s quite interesting to read other teams blogs, sometimes not as many are simply hate-filled diatribes – check out the Republik of Mancunia for a good example of this. That said much of what gets written about City is fairly predictable these days…
I thought it was a pretty open, fairly even game FWIW. I can see why Arsenal fans would feel hard done to by getting nothing out of it. I thought the introduction of Milner was a good move at the time Mancini brought him on – we’re not going to beat everyone by 3 or 4 goals and it would have been stupid to try against you lot. Most blues I know aren’t crowing about world domination, the last thirty-odd years have made us a bit more fatalistic than that. The title is a long, long way off but if it does happen this will have been a really important win.
There seems to be quite a lot made in the posts above about City players diving BTW. I wouldn’t deny it happens nor would I condone it but it’s hardly confined to one club, is it? Let’s not forget that Arsenal have a few ‘simulators’ of their own 😉
Anyway, this will be my last visit here for a while so best of luck with the CL. See you in April, hopefully to nick another 3 points!
Ollie , Saha on your bench .
Cheers for the advice H2H , but there’ll be no Spuds anywhere near my changing-room . 🙂
Well , for the second week running , I was bottom but one . Wolfie’s hands off approach clearly not working . The home crowd are baying for his blood , the Chairman has given him the dreaded vote of confidence , something drastic needed to be done .
Aguero in , Bent out . Won’t please the purists , but something had to be done to arrest the decline . I’ve gone from 8Ball and Holic looking over their shoulders at the dangers presented by The Speedo Massive , to peering over my own shoulder at Lonestar , Harsha and Snir , in the race for the Champs League spots .
Had to raise funds by selling Jagielka for Norwich’s Tierney . Don’t even know if he plays much , but he was all I could afford 🙂
CTID.
Nice post, good luck to you too.
Agüero in? A big ‘boooooooooooooooooooooooo’ to tabs indeed.
You say tomaito , I say tomato Ollie 🙂
Nice stuff CTID . Comforting to know that there is at least one City fan still out there with something sensible to say .
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/important-info-arsenal-v-wolves-dec-26
Can I hope that the ‘duty of care’ will extend to reimbursing my train ticket if the game is cancelled?
Somehow I doubt it.
CTID @ 86, you give me hope for the fans of Man City.
Thank you, good luck on Thursdays, and see you in April, but I think we’ll be taking the 3 points 🙂
Woj looking forward to St Totteringham’s day, eventually.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7387388/Wojciech-Szczesny
I don’t deny that City deserve to be where they currently are.
A grim town in Lancashire, and one that I don’t have to frequent with anything approaching regularity, thankfully.
Sorry CTID, but your countryman beside me is already asking where the CL final is being held next season.
Oh very dear. Where did I put those matches?
Interesting that there are no doomers here today. Where did they all go?
Oh yeah, we played with effort and heart. We showed we have the quality to match the top team in the league.
Great match reports all.
Heh at Szcz. Love that guy.
zico, What about asking him where this season’s CL final is? 😉 Oh yeah, he doesn’t have to worry about that.
This one doesn’t do irony, Joshua.
Or thinking, come to that. 😉
Apparently not, zico.
*Dribbles past the ineffective Nasri, looks down-field*
*Sends a perfect ball into the box.*
Nuts it.
NIce assist Joshua, to tell the truth, it was more of a boilk in then a nut in..
But they all count. 😉
Well in. Since Phil Dowd is not refereeing this bar, either counts for a perfectly good century.
So is Arteta available for The Villa?
Yes he is, Jackster (?)
Well in H2H, lovely assist Joshua.
Haha at the Neighbour 😉
– I think they don’t know you enouugh here for this type of shenanigans :p
The Scene : A small room, off the main corridor of The Quackery, HTMkII
Dr Feelgood is sitting upright in bed, Roxette is at his side holding a photograph album, and is patiently reciting the details behind every image, looking for the faintest flicker of recognition…..
Roxette : “What about this one? This was taken on your graduation day?. Look at that lovely baseball bat you’re holding and the cultivated menacing stare….”
Feelgood : “I’m really sorry, but none of this means anything to me. I can see how it could be me, although I’m infintely more handsome now. And younger.”
Roxette : “What about this?….
The photograph shows a young Feelgood in full highland dress, taken on the day of his wedding.
Feelgood : “Mel Gibson?”
Roxette sees she is getting nowhere and puts down the album.
Roxette : “I have to leave shortly. That nice doctor, Mr Catalan, has said he has some modern therapies he can use, to try to help you remember…….”
Feelgood (fearful) : “Dr C?”
Roxette (suddenly interested) : “Aah, so you remember HIM?”
Feelgood (unconvincing) : “Err, no, which one was he again?”
Roxette : “Hard to forget really. The one with the goat. In handcuffs. Although I have heard he is a very good doctor….when he’s not mixing up his own medicine. In fact him and that very sophisticated Doctor T said they would both call on you later to ensure you were “comfortable”………”
Feelgood (panic spread across his face) : “Where are you going? Perhaps I could come too?”
Roxette : “Don’t be silly. I’m going to collect my mother….”
Feelgood (slumps down in bed) : “Oh………I don’t feel well at all, I think……..I’m going to be sick…..”
Roxette : “Well maybe it’s just me, but THAT sounds more like your old self……oh, and I forgot to tell you, Mrs Dale is going to call round later – she said she had some old pictures for you to look at as well – something about you and a pyjama party…..”
Feelgood (to himself): “Feck. The Feelgood Tapes (again)…..”
At this point, he realises there is another patient on the other side of the room, who has been smiling knowingly throughout as Roxette prepared to leave. Without thinking Feelgood strikes up a conversation:
Feelgood : “And what are you in for?”
Patient (in an irritating voice) : “Got a very nasty rash. On my leg. Fact!”
Feelgood rolls his eyes, gets up and starts to get dressed…..
To be continued
Holic,
Obviously the above post was not in anyway trying to trivialise the current circs of the Management. Best wishes as ever. Hope to hear good news soon.
Evening Holics
Just back from a hugely enjoyable annual Christmas lunch in Norwich with 5 former colleagues of 35 years ago! The “girls” are all City supporters and all said that the Arsenal game was the highlight of City’s season to date. Nice to be appreciated by some discerning fans of a rival club!
Any suggestions for a reliable stream for Wednesday?
As always COYRs
Entertaining excerpt from the Feelgood Files. 😀
H2H, Well in at 100. I hope your timing with the beer taps is as good as your timing on here.
How did Dr Feelgood lose his memory? It seems I have somehow managed to miss an episode, I think.
CTID, good to see that there is at least one ManCity fan that hasn’t lost his bearings.
Joshua@102, did you have to mention that mahoosive twatspatula? I had only just started to recover 🙁
Loved the ending of the latest Feelgood Files, and Mrs Dale is about to enter the Happy Train MkII?!
Strength to Strength.. 🙂
Lars, “Photo Special” post, drink # 710. 😉
Hey Dr. F – It’s about time he had that seen to in my opinion!! Fact!!!
Apologies, Lars. Here’s something to cleanse your mind:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/tv-online-free-video-top-10-pires-goals
Good to be in the bar with yous class acts gents – haven’t managed it as much lately, which makes it even more of a pleasure than per mertasacker usual
Drinks on me if the barman can’t catch Lars’s eye
Mid December,year unknown.
A Baby Jesus Doll is sitting on the bed,a dim light is thrown from a lamp by the bedside.
A young male voice can be heard.
” Now Baby Jesus,make sure you are paying attention,”
” I am now modelling the new Lemon colored range of silk undergarments that i have ‘ borrowed ‘ from the washing line of Betty the newly married wife of Eric who runs the Post Office.”
In the gloom we can just make out a shadowy, completely hairless young man in lemon colored briefs,bra and garter.
” What do you think Baby Jesus,??,does the color suit me,??”
” I really have no one else i can confide in,and as soon as i saw you lying in the manger in the Village hall,i felt a connection between us,
did you feel it too.??”
The young man goes over to bed and gently strokes the hair on the head of the Baby Jesus,and then leans over and kisses it gently on the cheek.
The young man moves back into the centre of the room and does several pirouettes in the gloomy light.
” Oh they feel so soft and silky against my skin,it makes me feel all warm inside ”
” Now remember Baby Jesus,you cannot tell anyone about this,it must be our little secret,i have 2 friends who would be very jealous if they knew you were here with me,so you can understand why we cannot be seen out together,we will have to confine our special relationship to the bedroom,because even Mummy and Daddy must be kept in the dark.”
” Are you listening Baby Jesus,?”
” You haven’t fallen asleep have you,?”
“Oh you naughty thing you,well i will just tuck you in and join you in bed for a cuddle.”
Nighty night.
Bedroom fades to black.
Clive @ 117,
you’re going to end up back in the Secure unit BEFORE the season ends, at this rate 😉
zico: ah, yeah, now I remember! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
“Ere fairly sure it won’t happen – and what does a layman like me know when compared to the experts etc. BUT what with us running out of first, second, third and probaby even fourth choice full-backs – what if we were to play a 3-4-3
We’d have Kos and The Verminator either side of The Big Sacker – ready go in behind the BFG , with their pace, when he attacks the ball or maybe gets run at from the centre of the park.
In the centre of the park we’d have an extra defensive midfielder – pick either one from the CoqPong combo. This would make us pretty darn solid down the centre – with Songy there too – meaning it would be hard to attack The Sack 1 v 1. Widish we’d have too great defenders full of pace in Kos and Ver – protected by the newly hard-working wee woolly Walcott, and the always hard-working high-five head.
It means all our best remaining defenders are on the pitch in positions they’re reasonably comfortable in. We’re very solid down the middle and nicely poised to attack in numbers and get the ball to the new king of A.F.C. – Robin Van Persie – in dangerous areas. A little narrow defensively (but not if Songy, who’s played at centre-half, drops in there when we’re being attacked) but playing to our remaining strengths – no?
if there’s anyone in the bar do feel free to dip your oar in and tell me what a load of old cobblers the above is – and why.
*decides to fortify himself with beer in case SG is lurking somewhere in the shadows – ready to bite*
Holic hope you’ve had some good news re The Management.
UREDS!
*Tannoy Announcement*
Staff Nurse Wolfie, The Voluptuous Celia and Messrs. T & C please report to 117 Clitterhouse Road.
Patient Waterman needs collecting, gently, and sectioning in The Secure Unit for an indeterminate period.
Please consider the patient as unarmed but extremely dangerous. Use copious amounts of hallucinogens to calm if necesary. He may be of senior years but is fitter than a butcher’s dog with a bite that’s twice as nasty. Suggest allowing The VC to calm the patient should any uncontrollable swellings surface. She’ll know what to do.
*Announcement Ends*
And another thing (slowly becoming aware of dedicated/cross-dressing professionals hurrying to the secure unit to make everything ok) – and another thing – erm – oh sod it, it’ll keep.
Heh Professor Storey, quality work 🙂
AL,
not a bad idea.
One less to worry about in the defensive line playing someone onside as well.
Expect approval (or otherwise) regarding your formation from Patient Gan Goolie at some time during the night. 😉
Fuck me!
TS…. Thank you, and I professionally concur.
Full strength of everything. Both barrels, nurses.
Anything left over inject into Dr F to keep him quiet until we can get to him. I think The Sweeper may keep us busy for a while…..
Cheers Dr.z. I figured, like RVP, you needed a little bit the rest 😉
AL – Evening mate! Nice ideas but the chances of Le Boss going 3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1 are probably slimmer than a Santos denied fish and chip suppers for a month. Having said that, we do tend to play in a very fluid formation when we face lesser opposition (like Chelski, heh!) so there are probably times in the game when we might look like one of the above formations. Perhaps more worryingly, how many more defensive injuries do we need to sustain before Le Boss summons Mr.Almunia as a full back? The Nightmare Before Xmas 2 anyone?
Evening all.
Nursing duties at an end. The patient is now resting in her own bed. I am resting with a very good friend from Jura.
The whole fucking bottle at this rate.
Moreish or what? 😉
Zico – who could ask for anything more?
You’ve got to laugh. Imagine CTID or others coming across that post @117 on their first visit here…..
Holic. Great news. Enjoy.
Hey ‘holic GREAT news will have an extra sugar in my John Smith’s to celebrate!!!
TS – good evening sir – and potentially a long sleepless night now you’ve conjured the image of manuel al at FB – mind he was always pretty keen to get stuck in just outside the box. Maybe that’s his position and AW converting him might end-up being AW’s finest moment.
NaaaaHHH!!!!
FANtastic news Holic!!!
Splendid news ‘Holic and in time for Crimble too!
Unfortunately, there may be a few nursing duties to take care of in the bar 😉
Enjoy the malty goodness of your dear friend!
‘Holic apologies but – ahem – reckon you’ve reached the right verdict getting the Jura’s out
i’ll get my sentence – but will plea for leniency –
Indeed TS.
The grandkids may yet see a fat white haired old man tucking into the sherry and mince pie at midnight by the fireplace.
Haha, AL.
Excellent.
Bang to rights…
That is very good news, Barman.
Remember the Villa preview before you get through that Scottish (note not Scotch) fella 😉
Haha ‘holic – lovely to have you back behind bar
I tune in to catch up on some like minded Gooner chat and I find myself in some kind of parallel universe.
Just who are these mysterious contributors?!!!!
Alter egos or well meaning souls in need of genuine help?
Christ I need a drink, in any event I thought we were brilliant yesterday and with all away games to our rivals out of the way, key Injured players on the way back and the team gelling the 2nd half of the season promises much.
Agreed Geoff re the second half of the season – that is.
Now what if we were to play a 6-3-1 after Jan. – thus utilising all 4 of our well rested and fairly accomplished full-backs. i’m no expert but we’d hardly ever concede and Van Persie the king of A.F.C – well he scores when he wants – and he’ll have Jack back to back him up up top – no?
don’t be shy – let me know what you think no punches pulled – only pints
ureds!
AL
6-3-1 will be Mancini’s tactics when The Vulgarians come to The Ems in April.
We may not be champions this year but that game could well prove to be the squeak that broke the oily bum in the title race. Then again would we want to help Manure or Chel$ki win it???
On that depresssing note, I shall retire 🙁
Great news holic. Glad the boss is home.
Time for festive cheer.
Holic, glad to hear the boss is back!!….I hope you kept the fortress in good shape while she was away….
good move TS and you might oil-well be right re the return of the blue mancs –
myself i find it pretty difficult to care who wins the title – if not us. And refuse to indulge in any nonsense that even pretends to contemplate that bunch of c@nts from shite cart lane doing anything other than the ridiculous. Harry Yappyapp giving his team talk from behind bars. It could yet happen.
Good news, ‘Holic. Delighted to hear the management is home. I trust she is progressing well.
AL@120, Zico@124,TS@126: 3-4-3 is a brave formation for the modern game. Barca uses it occasionally but it demands a high pressing when you don’t have the ball and lots and lots of possession when you do. Two other requirements: two wide wing-halfs in the middle four (in the sort of role Santos plays for Brazil); and a keeper with the outfield skills to play as a sweeper. The disadvantages are that with a back three, if it is not phenomenally disciplined and well organized, it offers a lot of space to the opposing attack, especially wide, which can kill you on the counterattack if the high pressing fails. You can also be overrun in midfield if the opposition plays five there. If we were to experiment with a three-man back line, it might be better to try 3-5-2: Song anchoring in front of the back three (Kos, TV and Per) with two of Arteta, Frimpong, Coq Ramsey or Jack when he is back in front of him, Santos or Gervihno on the left, the Ox or Sagna on the right, and RvP and Theo — or our new January striker signing (!) — up front. (Tactical digression: wouldn’t it be better when we are chasing games now for Theo to move into the centre alongside RvP, and the Ox to come on wide rather than pull him off for Arshavin or Chamakh? Those two are so out of form. Theo always seems to get subbed before he can run at heavy-legged defenders and it would provide a different problem for the opposing centre halfs to be run at directly rather than just covering the full back.) Back to 3-4-3: the only team consistently and successfully to have used 3-4-3 in the modern era is Barca in the early 1990s when Cruyff had them playing total football. That team, for all its brilliance, gave away nearly as many goals as it scored. Given our conversion rate of the chances we create, I’m not sure we should be taking the gamble.
Geoff@139. It is not us who is in the parallel universe…
Pardon – ‘Arry YappYapp – ‘you know – the thing is – I erm – may be going erm – down in the middle of the erm – season. Is erm, you know that – erm, some kind of, you know, erm record John? No, erm – lovely fella but leave orf, you’ve gotta be erm kiddin’ me. It’s a erm – you know – triffic achievement erm – no? No more than this, erm grate club – you know – erm deserves – dontcha fink – triffic! lights out you say – erm OK – just gis’ erm half a mo to find me erm way to the erm bottom erm – bunk erm – will ya. Triffic! “
TS@141: we can only hope. Citeh have to play Chelsea, ManU and us in their last 10 games. United has the easiest run-in: no top four club to play in their last 10 apart from the derby at Eastlands. Who draws up these fixtures?
Bring it on Ned – a tilt at total football’ll do me
not been being entirely serious re suggested formations – like a bit of debate and that – but aware it’s of course all pretty academic.
But The Arse management is going to have to employ some fairly radical – nee out of the box thinking (put your track-suit back on Manuel Al – we’re not talking about you), as we’ve no natural full-backs left fit in the first team squad – and the covers cover is now starting to get injured too
the sensible thing – i guess – is that miguel comes in for now. But another injury (as TS says above) – then who – Squeallatyer? I’d rather Ricey blew the dust orf his ol’ dubbined boots
okee dokee – Bedfordshire Brighton and Hoves its way into view – must get me Beechy Head Epsom Downes! Good Knightsbridge. See you in the Mornington crescent. Arsenal!
sorry – Up The Arsenal!
Excellent news ‘Holic!
Although, don’t overdo it @ 135 mate… 😉
right sleep done – hey Ned great insight re the history of the 3-4-3 by the way
Ureads!
AL @ 149, I’m with you on that.
Let’s say a squid has 8 tentacles. But only 2 boots. Which means he is only at 25% efficiency at best.
Give me dear ‘ol Pat anyday mate.
Pat on the back four duty – go on my son!
Up the management!!
Come on Miquel and our patchwork back four, we need you at your best if we are going to get these all important three points against the Villans.
At last the nightshift begin to assemble – 8 ball picks up the olympus torch, switches it on – and runs with it as only he can. Give my fondest to 200 should you get there Gooners
The nightshift is here….hungover and under deadline but here nevertheless….
Haven’t had time to backdrink but the match was brilliant, through my drunk and sleepfilled eyes I witnessed a truly enjoyable nailbiting match and was left feeling slightly dissatisfied with the result but content with the effort and skill on display. Haven’t had much to complain about in terms of effort these past few months really to be honest. Got to put our chances away when they come next time.
Now to start stretching out and get ready to make a Theo-esque run to the goal of 200, leaving all other holics in my wake…
P.S. Gunder and Lightning are number 2 now in the Holic League! Woop, woop!
P.P.S. London Pride for all you lovely gooners who are looming and not dooming 🙂
Night shift! It is always prime time somewhere.
40 move self assist — up for it, CoR?
Haha! Maybe, but I don’t know if my ankles can support all of that bobbing and weaving through those bulky defenders 🙂
I’m more of a “loaf in front of the goal, take one touch and bang it in” kind of footballer now…maybe it’s because of the girls I see ;D
AL@148: I once played for a team that played total football, or at least we were all over the place.
At least you aren’t a ducker and diver, CoR.
Like a professional footballer, I duck and dive if I sense the referee will allow it, lol
So what do you reckon for Villa, NBN? Can we get McLeish sacked or what?
McLeish will deliver mid-table mediocrity. That is what he was hired for.
Here is a quiz to protect your knees, CoR, as we dash for the 200.
What connects…
Shoot!
Alex Wilson
George Male
Eddie Hapgood
All played for Rangers?
jack crayston
No. More clues….
Hehe 😉
Herbie Roberts
Wild Copping
Joe Hulme
Ray Bowden
Ummm, all scored against Liverpool or something?
Ted Drake
Come on, how much easier do I have to make this?
Alex James
Last clue…
Cliff Bastin
Were all part of the illustrious Chapman team from the 30s?
Not bad. Very close, in fact…
It was the 1936 FA Cup winning team, managed by George Allison.
A glass of whatever takes your fancy for a damned fine effort…
Ack….Allison was it…
Alright, I got one for you.
Who was our oldest ever outfield player and how old was he when he played for Arsenal?
And now we are into the ’90s, over to the lurkers. My work here is done…
And which team did he make his debut against? 😉
It was either The Sweeper or Jack Rutherford.
Professional debut for Newcastle against WBA. Arsenal debut vs Notts Forest.
Heh, sweeper gets you a halfpoint 😀
It was Jock Rutherford, he made the record by running out against Manchester City when he 41 years and 159 days old in 1926 I think
I love Arsenal history and trivia but have a bad memory for dates…..weird kind of brain CoR has, no?
Easy one here, who holds the record for most appearances as an outfield player?
– jack
+ jock
My fat fingers.
He also holds the record for the shortest managerial appointment at Stoke. Just four weeks, but who wouldn’t want to get out of Stoke as fast as possible?
David O’Leary, so to speak.
Sneaks in.
Well in, CoR. 40 pass move in under an hour. Denilsonesque.
H2H: mega lurking. Well in!
CoR, you were robbed. All the hard work but none of the deserved glory.
Sorry about that, just got back from a pub and I couldn’t resiist it.
It’s all about the timing you know. 😉
Well in H2H 😀
I think that move surpassed Denilson…entering the realms of Carrick there, hehe
Ah well, my lunchhour is up. Back to work now…maybe if I get this project finished in time Shaft might make an appearance later 🙂
One other piece of Jock Rutherford trivia. He is also the oldest Arsenal player to score a goal: Against Sheffield Utd in the league in 1924 when he was 39.
Time to retire. Will back Shaft later…
First ever radio broadcast of a football league game was Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd as well. On the 22nd January 1927 which ended in a 1-1 draw….
Alright back to translating this document before I get fired….
For the latecomers. Among all the nationalities of Arsenal’s 20 all-time top goal scorers, only two countries are represented more than once. Name them.
Holland (DB and RvP).
England (Almost everybody else).
Give us something a bit harder NBN. 🙂
Who were the four non-Arsenal players on the Battle of Highbury?
-on
+in
Britton, Barker, Matthews, Brook.
The only other occasion when seven players from the same club have been on the pitch for England was on 28 March 2001, when Manchester United’s Teddy Sheringham came on as a substitute against Albania in the 84th minute
copied from Wikipedia 😀
Quizzing over the internet is like playing Russian Roullette with an invisible gun…
invisible gun=transparent gun
i.e. you can see the bullet
Anybody still out there?
‘holic 127. Good stuff.
CoR/NBN: sending offs and 6 months-bans.
‘Holic, Delighted that the Management is back home. A bottle of Jura whiskey – a fitting celebration!
‘holic – good news – but surely you have to cook mince pies under the watchful eye of the boss – so keep a drop of the Jura for that
The way we are playing (it was good to watch such a piecemeal defence holding off those expensive Citeh forwards) , I propose a new formation 0-5-5 for the rest of the year
5 CBs and 5 attackers rotating every 5 minutes sounds unbeatable to me
RED AND WHITE CHRISTMAS
Shaft arrives at the Arsenal Christmas party held at the Diamond Club with two buxom women in tow. He walks in sees Gunners from past and present resplendent in red and white garb as well as costumes in certain cases. He walks over to bar and orders a Guinness and two gin tonics. He then leaves the two women to their own devices as he proceeds to catch up with old associates. He walks over to Sir Holic standing in the corner. He is wearing a blue-gray suit and chatting with Ken Friar.
Ken Friar: …so I told her, this cannon only shoots one way, and then I…
Sir Holic: Excuse me, Ken. I’ll be back in a second.
Shaft: Care for some fresh air?
Sir Holic: Don’t mind if I do.
They grab glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waitress and step out onto the balcony in the chilly night.
Sir Holic: So Shaft, what have you been up to recently?
Shaft: Well, since you ask…I came to England at the request of Control in order to take down Harry Redknapp some weeks back, then randomly met Carlos Kickemhard at Heathrow and he told me Command wanted me to retrieve some Jimmy Choos and at the same time I got new orders to eliminate Blatter but after asking Tony Adams what to do I got some heifer to wax my moustache in Heathrow before running over Squillaci and Almunia who were trying to make their way out of England with my black Camaro. Then I made my way down to London, grabbed a kebab and met Thierry to discuss the upcoming mission before meeting agent Chamakh to finetune certain details on his end after which I then flew to Switzerland to meet with Carlos and El Jefe who were monitoring Blatter and Platini. They told me of some his sordid habits and also of the existence of a mole with Emirates Control Centre so I then starting implementing countermeasures when I was kidnapped by Vieira’s forces then rescued by Carlos and El Jefe but only after realizing that Vieira may or may not be an inside man at City. Anyway, I continued my mission and went for target number two on the list, replacing Platini with Alain Prost during the Olympiacos game in Greece and then turning the real Platini into several bars of soap which I then delivered to Control. Once Blatter found out I was on his case he went underground and is now in an underground lair protected by several hundred sloths and to my knowledge he still doesn’t suspect the new Platini but we can’t know for sure so I may have to implement the next stage in the near future. I saw to it that Darren Dein also knew I was on his case so most probably we won’t be hearing much from him until the end of the season. After the end of Operation Hash Brown I got back on the Redknapp case and right now Carlos is employed there as Chief Talent Scout while El Jefe is working on hypnotizing Dr Feelgood in Finsbury Park, or so he says. I’ve also been receiving lots of help by converted assets, Honey Bottom and Nimfh O’Maniac in preparing an army of ocelots to take Blatter in his lair but it’s been slow going. But, I made a visit to the Wizard and finally cured my fugly weakness, you’ll be pleased to know. You won’t be so pleased to know that I still haven’t found out whether or not the Nigerian sweepstakes Arsenal won is really a scam or not though.
Sir Holic: I see….well, good luck with the rest of your mission and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Shaft: Yes Sir. All the best to you and your family as well. Be sure to wish all your gooner followers the same as well. I think I’ll get back to my ladies and maybe get my wax on.
Sir Holic: You do that John, you do that.
SG@213: you know your history.
Ollie@218: outrageous. And over-turned by self-appeal.
Shaft
At last Holic makes an appearance in one of the serials! I thought he delivered his lines very well too!
Nice one. Guinness when you wake up 🙂
Boy, that John Shaft is SO behind the times 😉
Re the Holic league. Still sitting mid-table with about 3 changes all season, religiously sticking to NSC regulations.
Take note, Rooney-pickers. Your victories will have as hollow a ring as the oil-bought trophies of those nouveau-riche blue bellends.
They call me the virtual AW.
Zico @118,
I never left the Secure Unit,
I’m on loan,like Barndoor,but not on his wages.!!
When Feelgood read my post at 117,did he feel as though a ghost had walked over his grave.?
Does he worry that his deepest darkest secrets are about to be revealed.?
The Baby Jesus Doll knows where the bodies are buried.
If only he could talk.!!
Prof Tes @121,i know what you are trying to do,
get me locked up and tranquilised to keep me from peeling away your veneer of respectability,and expose you for what you really are.
Wolfie,having read 117,will have aged 20 yrs overnight,interesting he has gone to ground,fearing exposure.??
Mrs Dale has the Pictures and the negatives safely tucked away.
If anything happens to me,—————-
How nice to get the ol’ seasonal circular from Shaft – sounds like he’s had a busy 2011.
Psed the ‘tache looks great before that picturesque snowscape
Holic, happy to hear that the management is back home safely!
Clive @226 – 🙁
Nothing to fear – it weren’t me Guv – Free the Speedo One !
Very nice round up Mr Shaft 🙂
Lovely to see an appearance from the best virtual barman around ‘raises glass’
…..curioser and curioser 🙂
Just read via Young Guns that the club is considering recalling Kyle Bartley from Rangers…. *anythingbutsquillaci* !! 🙂
Great to hear Mrs H back with you Holic .
Clive @117 – no-one will convince me that post was delivered without a dip into the CMC 🙂 🙂
Feelgood @107 🙂
Shaft @221 – Cheers for the plot synopsis – everything is crystal now 😉
Good news Re: The management ‘holic. Cheers
Vital match tomorrow, essential 3 points
Feels like a slow drinking day today… 😐
calm before the storm, Wind. You young ‘uns need to learn when to pace yourself! 🙂
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-train-ahead-of-villa-match-pictures
Squillky bum time tomorrow. well, on the bench presumably.
Ahh, the Storm, how she toils and broils… 😉
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/talking-heads-aston-villa-v-arsenal
Well well ‘Holic, nice Talking Heads section!
I agree with Wind on that one!
Al @ 144 You made a comment about not caring who wins the title, if it isn’t Arsenal. That got me to thinking (scary, I know), does anybody have a favourite back-up team? Now before you escort me out of the bar, let me explain what I mean. You know, the team you enjoy watching, besides Arsenal. You might not admit it outloud, but you look forward to watching their games, Just for grins. Something like a guilty pleasure. I’ll go first. My dirty little secret is Chelsea. Always a real hoot and a holler to watch. Few thrills and plenty of spills, always a good laugh.
Abb@241: I once worked somewhere where everyone was expected to have a No. 2 team, but you weren’t allowed to have it in the same league.
abb, I like to watch Tottenham lose.
Does that count?
NBN @ 242, Well, back here in the States, it’s obligatory, for you know, that other football (yuk!). When I think of Chelsea, Ahley Cole comes to mind. The ORIGINAL ‘Why Always Me’ guy! And then there’s Drogba, my word. Whenever the official makes a bad call, he wiggles his finger at the ref while firmly holding onto the ball. No one, not even the official would dare touch didy’s ball!
H2H @ 243 It sure as hell better!!! Cheers!
abb @241 – fine question and a right teaser. i really tried and got no further than QPR or Fulham – just to annoy the blue russians – but even then a thousand and one reasons (well – one) against such an outcome come to mind i.e. they’re London clubs – oh, and they’re not us. Oh, and there not us ( i could do that another 998 times). So yeah – a thousand and one reasons
AL@ 246, That’s the spirit! However, QPR does have Barton…can you imagine him and Drogba mixing it up. Surely worth a front row seat. But your’re so right about our Arsenal, never have I been prouder. God bless the lot of them!
Abb, in the States, I assume you get to have a college and an NFL team, which seems like too easy double-dipping. And I saw that there was an article in the Wall Street Journal by a long-term expat Brit claiming (American) football is better than ‘soccer’. He seems to have been a Coventry City fan, which I suppose could jaundice your view of anything.
I’m with H2H @ 243.
By the way, you all sound bald. 😉
Looks like Arteta is playing tomorrow?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-gibbs-djourou-sagna-and-more
The only one missing on that list is Diaby what the heck is going on with him?
Gibbs had a setback I do feel sorry for the lad!
Wanted: Footballers made of glass.
Must be prepared to break down after 10 minutes of first team football, and run risk of hernia picking up barrowload of unearned wages.
Must be prepared to spend time large periods of time horizontal with ankle/leg in protective casing doing not very much, other than being injured.
Really injured players need not apply.
Sorry abb – i was being rubbish – read your poser as ‘who would you like to win the league if not us?’ – but obviously it was teams you like to watch if not us – sorry.
Even tougher – not trying to be facetious – but have real trouble watching anything before the second half that doesn’t involve us. So will look at one of our top fourish rivals after half-time if i find out they’re struggling. will also watch any old international if it involves an Arsenal player (Joel Campbell, Costa Rica/Spain worth a look).
Else my concentration wanders and i get a bit bored. It wasn’t always this way though – i think
My ‘holic pound of the week: Bolton, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and Sunderland all to win and Wigan to win or draw as seven folds paying 230-1 at bet365.
Feel free to copy 🙂
My second team is any team who plays against our title rivals on the weekend.
Apart from Spurs, United and Chelsea. In that case a draw will satisfy me.
How did we EVER lose against that mob in Blackburn?
NBN@ 248 Yes, that’s pretty much how it works here. However, the only time I our football is exciting is when someone throws what is known as a ‘Hail Mary Pass’. Akin to perhaps the goalie coming off his line and going for goal.
AL@253, No, no, it’s ok. You see, after we all chatted, I went to You Tube and listened to all the ole Arsenal songs. You put me in the mood. Cheers!
Sky do my head in.
They hype the Blackburn v Bolton game as the most important game in Blackburns blah blah blah and now they are two goals down and he home crowd are baying for blood the commentator says “no manager deserves this….”
Grade A tossers the lot of them….
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
zico@257: here is the painful truth:
by not realizing that we had to work for the points until it was too late.
Let’s hope we don’t make the same mistake tomorrow. Once more, it is up to us to at least match them for work rate. The only Villa player that really worries me is Bent, who is listed as “slight doubt” on physioroom.com so let’s hope he does not play.
In any case it is a must-win game, pretty much like all games until ManU at home.
As someone sez above: you ought to dwell on a few things, under the silvery prose. My nominations:
(1) What’s that, Johnny Domestic diving for pearls?
(2) Dowd’s mendacity (which you nearly normalize as, ah well, the expectable (To me, he’s like normalizing “our Joey (Barton) just being our Joey…”)
How about breaking a sweat, ‘holic?
(Barkeep, a double for GH)